SAN ANTONIO – As Supermarket Perimeter has previously reported, grocery sales have skyrocketed in the last few weeks as the US has seen the rise of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The latest numbers analyzed by 210 Analytics and IRi exhibit that instore bakeries, store bakery aisles and cookies and crackers are experiencing the same growth. 

The instore bakery category has risen 10.3% ending the week of March 15 compared to the same time in 2019. At least $1 million is instore bakery sales came from croissants (up 42.7%), rolls (up 34.9%) and bread (up 31.3%). Bagels and cookies also showed growth at 15.2% and 12.5% respectively. 

“In the midst of all the change, shoppers are still looking for their morning routine cup of coffee with a perhaps a doughnut, bagel or little pastry,” said Jonna Parker, team lead for fresh for IRi, “much like they would have when running to the nearest coffee shop by the office. Grocery stores now fulfill all those meal occasions.”  

Bakery aisle sales jumped 44.3% raking in 621.1 million. The products exhibiting the largest growth were fresh bread and rolls (up 58.6%), bagels (up 49.7%), pastries and doughnuts (up 29.1 %) followed by bakery snacks, pies, cakes and English muffins. 

The cookies and crackers category shot up 62.3% resulting in $466.5 million in sales. Crackers saw growth of 75.6% and cookies expanded 50.5%. 

“These kinds of sales surges are only possible thanks to the incredible efforts of the entire bakery supply chain,” said Anne-Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics. “These individuals are not only keeping the supply going but are ramping up production to provide the American people with the foods they need during these challenging times."